Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 26

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 1130

USA > Illinois > Knox County > Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois > Part 26

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The lady and gentleman, the principals of this sketch, have had four children, viz .: Sarah E., born Feb. 26, 1851 ; Ann Eliza, Jan. 21, 1853, who died Sept. 14, 1868; Lorenzo D., born Sept. 13, 1855, and Charles E., July 6, 1857. Those living are married. Sarah E. married Mr. W. H. H. Nelson, Dec. 29, 1870; is now a widow and has four small children- Stella M., Liva A., Lina E. and Minnie. Lorenzo D. married Miss Mary C. Cast, on the 21st of February, 1877, and has two children-Charles S. and Clayton. Charles C. married Miss Harriet E. Latimer, on Dec. 24, 1878, and has one child-Nora F.

Mr. Stephens is an active member of the M. P. Church, while his wife is connected with the Congre- gational Church. In politics Mr. Stephens is a Re- publican through and through, and is likely to re- main an ardent supporter of the party.

homas C. Duval. Among the early comers to this county, who by their own indomit- able energy and perseverance have ac- quired sufficient to enable them, in the evening of life, to retire from its active labor, is the gentleman of whom this brief biographical notice is written. He is to-day passing the sunset of life in peace and quiet retirement in the village of Wataga. Coming here in 1835, prior to the organi- zation of the county into townships, and at a time when the hand of civilization was hardly visible, he has here continued to reside for upward of 51 years, winning the respect of his fellow citizens by his straightforward and manly dealings, and slowly ac- quiring a competency.

Mr. Duval was born in Virginia Feb. 28, 1802. His parents were James T. and Judah (Jennings) Duval, natives of Culpeper County, Va. His father was a farmer by occupation and also a slave-owner, and came to this State in 1835, settling at Appanoose, opposite Fort Madison, in Hancock County, where he died about the year 1838. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, under the command of Col. Thomas D. Owens. The mother died in Arkansas.

The subject of this notice was the oldest of a fam- ily of eight children, viz. : Thomas C., Sarah A., Elizabeth, Lucinda, James W. T., Daniel J., Judith A. and Nancy J., all of whom reached mature years and all were married and raised families.

Our subject received a common-school education and worked on his father's farm until his coming to this State. Arriving here, he worked a season in Warren County, where for one year he rented a farm. He then came to this county and located four miles north of Galesburg, in Henderson Township, where he purchased a claim of a quarter-section of land, giving therefor $150. He subsequently perfected the title to his land by paying an additional sum of $450. On this claim he settled and there laid the foundation of his present competency, and there continued to reside until 1855. He then moved to Henderson village, where he purchased another farm, and there lived, energetically engaged in the vocation of an agriculturist, until 1863. It was dur- ing this year that Mr. Duval came to Wataga, where, in close proximity to the village, he had previously, in 1850, purchased 240 acres. This purchase was made long prior to the establishment of the present village of Wataga, or even before the idea originated in the mind of man that a village was to be estab- lished at that place. On this 240 acres of land, which Mr. Duval had disposed of by sale, the pres- ent thriving little village of Wataga now stands. On coming to the village in 1863, Mr. Duval purchased a residence and lot and has there lived until this writing.

Our subject at one time was the proprietor of 2,000 acres of land in this county. He has given the major portion of his land to his children, and at present is the proprietor of only 200 acres. Success seems to have attended his every effort in life. When he first came to this State he had but $100, and through his own energy and perseverance, coupled with the active co-operation of his good helpmeet, together with his children, his success may be attributable.

Mr. Duval was united in marriage April 2, 1823, with Miss Nancy Shumate, a native of Virginia, where she was born Aug. 19, 1805. She is the daughter of Berryman and Elizabeth (Nelson) Shu- mate, natives of Virginia. Mr. Shumate was a sol- dier in the War of 1812. Mrs. Duval was one of a family of six children, viz .: Polly, Nancy, Eliza,

LIBRARY OF THE L'HIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

Ezna Chapman

More Sarah A. Chapman.

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Lydia, William and Hiram, all of whom grew to man and womanhood.

Of the union of Mr. Duval and Miss Shumate a family of ten children have been born: Elizabeth (Mrs. Lewis) has borne her husband 1 1 children, nine of whom are living-William, Hiram, James, Mel- vina, Thomas, Aaron, Benjamin, Nancy and Albert ; William Duval married Minerva Browner, and their children are Thomas, Elizabeth, Clara, James, John C., Lewis, George, Alice, Frederick and Berryman; Martha Duval, who is at present Mrs. Reed, has borne her husband the following children : Nancy, Helen, Sarah, Frances, Polly, Albert and Dora ; Mary Duval became Mrs. Eli, and she and her hus- band have three children-Nancy, Nellie and Willie ; Helen Duval married Mr. Vaughn, and their chil- dren are Lydia, Sarah L., James, Johu, Elmo, Dora and Benjamin ; Eleanor Duval became Mrs. Gray, and their children are Frank, George, Mary, Septer, Edwin and Nettie; Nancy A. Duval is the wife of James Roundtree.

Mr. Duval of this notice is the grandfather of 43 children and the great-grandfather of 41. The com- ing generation of his kinsmen, when they read the life of our subject, cannot but appreciate the energy with which he has passed through so many trials and come out so successfully.

In his politics, Mr. Duval is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and is one of the citizens of Knox County respected and honored for what he is as well as for what he has been.

ohn D. Eckman, a farmer of influence, re- siding on section 1, Cedar Township, was was born in Cumberland County, Pa., on April 1, 1849, and came to Illinois Feb. 24, 1870. For nine years he worked by the month and had no education except what he received by his own efforts and through the aid of the district school. He commenced farming on his own account in Knox County in 1878, and married Miss Mina M. Kelso, Feb. 4, 1870. Her birthday was April 10, 1846, her native place being Cumberland County, Pa. They were married in that State and much happiness has resulted in the union. She had three

brothers and three sisters: Fulton, James, John, Bell, Ann and Tabitha.

Mr. Eckman has five children living and two de- ceased : Frank, born Jan. 22, 1870; Matilda, Nov. 3, 1872; Tabitha, Dec. 20, 1874; Nellie, Jan. 24, 1877; Mary, Aug. 14, 1880; John, May 13, 1883; and an infant. Mr. Eckman is a Republican in principle and an earnest advocate of any measure calculated to promote his party's good.

azra Chapman. One of the most highly re- spected and best known citizens of Knox County, as well as one of its successful men, is Ezra Chapman, who is residing at Onei- da. He is the son of Asa and Susanna (Ber- ry) Chapman. The family history of the Chapmans embraces a long list of seafaring men, those who were prominent in that line, and who owned their own vessels and were engaged in carrying sup- plies to different parts of the world. It is also note- worthy to state that in a financial point of view they were successful.

The family of which the father of our subject was a member was a very small one, there being but two children, himself and a sister. After he was married he made a voyage upon the sea, but soon returned to land, locating three and a half miles west of Utica, N. Y. It was during the residence of his parents there that the subject of this notice was born, the date thereof being Jan. 28, 1797. He was the eldest of five children, four sons and one daughter. The daughter was married and moved to near Sack- ett's Harbor, Suffolk Co., where she died some years ago. She had become the mother of one child, who is also deceased. John grew to manhood and mar- ried Miss Berry ; he lived a useful life and died in Cayuga County, N. Y. His wife is still living, at New Carlisle, Ind., with her eldest son. Samuel Chapman is now living in Florida, where he spends his winters, his home, nevertheless, being at Oneida and at the residence of the subject of this notice. He is a widower. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Lanfear, who bore him several children.

The father of Ezra Chapman accumulated a com- paratively large property (for that date), and at the time of his demise made his will in such a manner

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as to deprive the subject of this notice from receiving any of his property, except the sum of $6. One of his sons and one of his daughters received $400 each, and the residue of his property, amounting to about $3,000, went to his other son, providing he took care of his mother until her death. Thus we see that our subject was the least favored of his father's children and was compelled to start in this world as " poor as a church mouse." But being possessed of an unlimited amount of pluck and perseverance, he went forth with a cheerful heart to fight the battle of life alone. Very early in life he became a mechanic in one of the manufacturing establishments of Whites- town, Oneida Co., N. Y. He was only 15 years old when he learned a trade, and after a few years ap- plied to a Mr. Wolcott, one of the millionaires of that county, for a position as a mechanic in his shops, which he received. He worked for that gentleman 13 years, scarcely losing a day's time, and saving his means. It was during this period that he was first married, the date of the event being April 4, 1825, and the lady chosen Miss Sarah A. Lanfear. She was born Oct. 25, 1798, in Rome, Oneida County. She bore him children and departed this life at On- tario, Ill., March 23, 1876. Two of their children are deceased. The following is the record of the family : John married Elizabeth Eckley, who bore him four children-Ezra, Capitola, Carrie and Ida. By his second marriage, to Elizabeth Eldridge, he has three children-Sarah, John and Samuel, and they reside at Valley Falls, Kan .; Susan O. Chapman became the wife of Norman Fay, a prominent farmer of Ontario Township; Oscar and Sarah are the two children born to them; Mary Jane married Charles H. Babcock, likewise a farmer of Ontario Township : three children -- William C., Sarah and Hattie-were born to them ; Sarah A., deceased, was the wife of Marvin Scudder and became the mother of four children, viz .: Chapman, Eliza, Katie and William ; Asa died after he came home from the army, from the effects of a gunshot wound through the side, received while in service. He was in active service for four years, and was a brave as well as an obedient soldier.

Ezra Chapman came to Knox County in the fall of 1839, and at once made a settlement in what is now Ontario Township. This was at a time when but little improvement had been made here, and the land was consequently in its natural condition. Yet,

at this early date, he made his selection of 160 acres near Ontario Corners. He had purchased the land on time from a gentleman in his native State, and before he was enabled to remit the purchase money the interest had accumulated to $14, which Mr. C. paid and which is the only time he has ever paid a dollar of interest money in his life, and this we de- sire to state is one of the main features of his suc- cess in life and of his popularity in Knox County, for every one knows him as a gentleman prompt to meet any and all contracts which he may make.

On the 160 acres of land above referred to, Mr. Chapman located with his family and at once began the laborious task of improving it, and there lived, engaged in agricultural pursuits, for upward of 40 years, meeting with far more than ordinary success. During his early settlement here there was no rail- road through the county, and Mr. Chapman remem- bers very distinctly that he made just 17 trips to Chicago after provisions When the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad Company started to lay their track through the county, Mr. Chapman, real- izing the advantage that it would be to himself, as well as to other citizens, worked hard for it, and suc- ceeded in getting a number of his fellow townsmen to subscribe to the stock of the company, promising to take it off their hands whenever they desired. Sure enough, in a few years, when the stock began to depreciate in value, they swarmed about him for their money, and he was always ready to accommo- date them. He at that time must have had far bet- ter judgment regarding the future value of the stock than the parties who were so anxious to have him take theirs at their depreciated value, for they are to- day as good security as one could wish, and it is through the purchasing of these stocks and the hold- ing of them that Mr. Chapman has become wealthy. He is the only stockholder in this city and is one of the largest in the county.

Mr. Chapman has a fine residence in Oneida, locat- ed on Prospect street, and it is the only real estate of which he is the proprietor. December 26, 1878, he was married to Miss Mary E. Long, the accom- plished daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Can- nel) Long, natives of Columbiana County, Ohio. She was born there, Jan. 20, 1858, and was the eldest of her parents' family of five children. Mrs. Chapman was nine years of age when her parents came to this State and made settlement in Ogle County, where, at

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Forreston, they are still living. The grandfather of Mrs. Chapman was the second Bishop of the Evan- gelical Episcopal Church. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Chapman has been Justice of the Peace of Ontario Township for six years and was also Postmaster at Ontario Corners for some time. He has voted the Republican ticket ever since the nom- ination of Fremont, in 1856, but prior to that time was a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have had born to them two children-Myrtle I. and Homer E., both of whom are deceased.

During the War of 1812, Mr. Ezra Chapman stood the draft. He had not reached the age of 18 years. However, when the time come he drew his lot, which was a blank. He was willing to go if he had been selected. The draft was for men to defend Sackett's Harbor from a threatened invasion. None of the men that were drafted for the occasion ever got into active service.

A portrait of Mr. Chapman, as well as that of his deceased wife, appears on another page.

rs. Cynthia Shaw, the relict of John C. Shaw, and a lady of more than ordinary business ability, who is at present resid- ing on her fine farm in Sparta Township, deserves more than passing notice at the hands of the biographer. She is the daughter of Cyrus and Maria (Calkins) Robbins, and was born in Sparta Township, Dec. 25, 1839, her marriage with John C. Shaw occurring Nov. 28, 1861.

John C. Shaw, husband of our subject, was born April 26, 1830, in Lewis County, N. Y. His parents, Martin and Margaret (Styles) Shaw, were natives of the Empire State. Martin Shaw died in 1834, and his wife and four children, John C. among the number, came to this county in 1846 and made a location in Sparta Township, on So acres of land on section 3, which the mother had purchased. There the widow with her orphaned children continued to live until 1854, when she was called to meet her loving hus- band in the land beyond.

After the death of his mother, John C. purchased the combined interests of his brothers and sisters in

the old homestead, on which the subject of this sketch is at present residing. In 1880 he made an additional purchase of 50 acres adjoining the pa- rental homestead, and there lived and labored, with the interest and prosperity of his family at heart, un- til his demise, on the 7th of May, 1881. He was a member of the Advent Church, to which his wife still belongs. At the date of his demise he was also the proprietor of 143 acres of land in Washington County, Oregon. His widow, our subject, still re- sides on the old farm, and with her children is en- gaged in its cultivation, meeting with success. Mr. Shaw was a public-spirited, generous, whole-souled man, and always ready and willing 10 assist in any enterprise that was calculated to benefit the com- munity in which he lived, and was never known to turn a deaf ear to true charity. He held the office of School Director of his township for eight years, and, as a representative of the agricultural class to which he belonged, was the peer of any.

B. Harshberger is one among the promi- nent farmers of Knox County, as well as one of its most worthy citizens. He is in- terested in stock raising and dealing, and his home is located on section 15, Haw Creek Township. He has been also quite a promi- nent man in public affairs, and has filled the office of Road Commissioner a number of times. His homestead comprises the south half of section 15, and on it he has erected a neat frame house, con- venient and modernized out-buildings, and made comfortable the entire property.

Mr. Harshberger was born in Highland County, Ohio, May 5, 1819, and is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Beckner) Harshberger, both natives of Virginia. In the fall of 1835 they emigrated to Knox County, but previously went from Virginia to Ohio, the date of their removal not being exactly known. When they came to Illinois, they settled in what is now known as Haw Creek Township, and bought the patent title to the same quarter-section now occupied by our subject. Here they remained up to the date of the father's death, which occurred in 1874, the mother having previously departed this life, closing her eyes to things of life three years be- fore. They lie side by side on the home farm.

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" They were one in life and in death they were not divided."

The gentleman of whom we write is one of a family of 11 children, nine boys and two girls. He was married Oct. 5, 1849, to Mary, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Thornbrugh) Housh, and to them have been born seven children-Lenora C., Leah A., Olive E., Ida D., May L., Amanda and Edna L. Lenora C. and Amanda are deceased. The mother of these children belongs to a family of 13, who all lived to attain the age of man and womanhood but one. All were married and founded homes of their own but one. The ancestry on both the father's and mother's side of the house were German, but the descendants were American by birth.

Both Mr. Harshberger and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, are consistent Chris- tians, and ever ready to unite heart and hand in for- warding any enterprise for the good of their fellow men. In politics he is a Greenbacker.

eorge W. Butt. Among the principal farmers, whose names are enrolled on the records of Knox County as worthy of men- tion for success and enterprise, is found the subject, who for zeal and thrift has no superior in this section of the country. His home is situated on section 29, and is a desirable and attract- ive farm, the soil being under high cultivation and including 355 acres of land, 150 of which is tillable. Mr. Butt came with his parents to this part of the State in infancy, being but 13 months old, from Champaign County, Ohio, where he was born, Feb. 16, 1836. His parents, Thomas E. and Sarah E. (Williams) Butt, were natives of Virginia and settled in Persifer Township, where they both died.

They had 13 children, of whom William was the 12th in order of birth. He was given some educa- tional advantages, receiving a common-school edu- cation, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits for some length of time. He was married in Persifer Township, Sept. 11, 1853, to Dorcas Dawson, daugh- ter of James and Margaret (Claypool) Dawson, na- tives of Ohio. Mrs. Butt was born in what is now known as Vinton County, Ohio, July 8, 1834. Mr.

and Mrs. Butt have seven living children, as fol- lows : Martha J., James A., Thomas J., Harriet Anna, Charles I., Sarah E. and George W., Jr. They have buried one child, John W. by name. Martha is the wife of L. N. Hiler, and resides at Knoxville ; she has one child, by name George E .; James A. is in Washington Territory; Thomas is married to Sa- rah H. Jackson and his home is in Persifer Town- ship; they have three children-Lawrence, Benjamin L. and Laurel ; Harriet Anna is the wife of James H. Perkins, and her home is in Persifer Township; she is the mother of two children-Katie M. and Charley R. The remaining children are all under the parental roof.

Mr. Butt has been Road Commissioner, Township Clerk and School Director respectively, which offices he has held with honor and credit to himself and his electors. He was given the position of Justice of the Peace, but did not qualify for it. He has served his country faithfully and well, fighting under the stars and stripes to protect her, and to win that no- ble independence and liberty which are birthrights of every American and which they will suffer nothing to wrest from them. He enlisted Dec. 21, 1861, in Co. B, Ist Ill. Cav., and served seven months, when he was honorably discharged, and re-enlisted in Co. A, 10th Missouri Cav. In that regiment he served for three yerrs, and when at last discharged he re- turned to his home in Persifer Township. He is at the present time a member of the James T. Shields Post, No. 45, G. A. R.

ngeline Whipple, who devotes her time to farming and stock-raising on section 9, of Cedar Township, was born Feb. 8, 1843, and on her father's side is of Scotch ancestry. She is now living on the old home farm where she was born. She is the daughter of Peter C. and Eliza H. (Boram) Nelson. The former was born in Greenboro County, W. Va., in 1807. His de- mise took place on March, 6, 1881. He was a Re- publican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was Class Leader for a number of years. He died full in the faith and the hope of eternal bliss. He married Miss Boram, as we have have already stated. They were the parents of eight children, four boys and four girls the latter being now dead, with

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLING 3

RESIDENCE OF JACOB BOOTH, SEC.15. MAQUON TOWNSHIP.

¥$75

RESIDENCE OF WILSON ADAMS , SEC. 13. RIO TOWNSHIP.

RESIDENCE OF GEORGE DONALD MACKINTOSH, SEC. 12., ONTARIO TOWNSHIP.

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the exception of the subject, whose name heads this sketch. One of the boys is also deceased. The names of the children are : Mary J., John J., Hester A., Louisa, Angeline, William H. H. (deceased), Zachariah T. and Aaron F.

Mrs. Whipple married Joseph W. Whipple, Oct. 4, 1860, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. A. Morey of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Whipple was a native of Wayne County, N. Y., where he was born in 1839. By this marriage there were three children born, two of whom are now liv- ing: W. H., born June 12, 1862, and died April 13, 1868; Harvey N., born Oct. 25, 1868; and L. A., Sept. 8, 1872.

Mrs. Whipple has 90 acres of land, and is carrying on her farming operations with the assistance of her two sons. She owns a full-blooded Jersey cow, and a number of finely bred Short-horn cattle, to- gether with 50 head of sheep. This lady, who is remarkable for her good sense and geniality of dispo- sition, received her education at the common schools. She is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and takes part in all good movements in her congregation.

ilson Adams. The subject of this brief biographical notice is an enterprising man and ranks high among the industrious and persevering farmers of Knox County. His property is situated on section 13, Rio Township, and is a handsome and convenient home. He is a useful man in the community, tak- ing a great interest in educational matters and hold- ing the office of School Director in his home district.

Mr. Adams is the son of James and Sarah (Miller) Adams, natives of North Carolina, who came to Knox County about 1843, and located in Rio Town- ship. The country was then new and the land all undeveloped, but they were ambitious and eventually built for themselves a home in which they spent their last days, the father dying in 1881 and the mother about 1850. The grandfather of Mr. Adams was a soldier in the War for Independence. To this couple were born eight children. of whom the sub- ject of this sketch was the second in order of birth. He was born in Southern Indiana Sept. 22, 1834, and was about nine years of age when his parents

emigrated to Knox County. He was allowed all ordinary advantages and received a common-school education, and since attaining the years of manhood has engaged in agricultural pursuits, at which he has been very successful. With the exception of five years passed in Mercer County, he has spent almost his entire life in this section of country. He owns 170 acres of land, all of which is tillable.

On the 6th of March, 1856, our subject was united in marriage with Sarelda J. Rusk, who was born in Montgomery County, Ind., Dec. 20, 1835. Her par- ents were John and Joanna (Ball) Rusk, both natives of Ohio. They came to Knox County in 1846, and in the fall of that year the former died, in Rio Township. The mother's demise occurred in 1867. Her ancestors were of German origin.

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Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 26

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company Number of Pages: 1130

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 1130